A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck in the foothills of the Himalayas near one of Tibet’s holiest cities on Tuesday, killing at least 95 people and collapsing hundreds of homes, Chinese authorities said.
The earthquake’s epicenter was about 80 kilometers north of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain. The tremors also shook buildings in neighboring Nepal, Bhutan and India.
The China Earthquake Networks Center located the epicenter in Tingri county, known as the northern gateway to the Everest region, at a depth of 10 km.
The United States Geological Survey estimated the earthquake’s magnitude at 7.1. It happened at 9:05 am (local time).
At least 95 people were killed and 130 injured on the Tibetan side, Chinese state television reported. There were no reports of deaths elsewhere.
The impact of the earthquake was felt throughout the Tibetan region of Shigatse, where 800,000 people live. The region is administered by the city of Shigatse, traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures of Tibetan Buddhism.
Many houses in the city of Shigatse were reduced to rubble, according to video released by Tibet Fire and Rescue. According to the video, rescuers searched through the rubble of a ruined house and pulled out an injured person.
The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader who fled his homeland in 1959 after it was conquered by China, said he was deeply saddened.
“I offer my prayers for those who lost their lives and extend my wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who were injured,” the Nobel Peace Prize winner said in a message.
Mount Everest is a popular destination for mountaineers, but winter is not the main season for mountaineers in Nepal.
A German climber was the only one allowed to climb Everest, but he had already left base camp after failing to reach the summit, said Lilathar Awasthi, a tourism department official.
China closed the Everest region to tourists after the earthquake, China’s Xinhua news agency reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said all search and rescue efforts must be made to minimize the number of casualties and resettle those affected.
More than 1,500 firefighters and rescue teams were sent to the affected areas, Xinhua reported. About 22,000 items were also shipped, including tents, coats, quilts and folding beds.
Source: Terra
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